HC Deb 26 April 1917 vol 92 cc2555-6
4. Mr. FITZPATRICK

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of Tillage Exemption Orders granted to landowners in the Ossory Division of Queen's County?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)

The Department of Agriculture are of opinion that it would be undesirable at the present stage to publish the detailed information asked for.

14. Mr. REDDY

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Mr. J. Perry Good-body, Clara, King's County, who owns about six square miles of land, has refused all requests to rent any portion of the land by conacre or otherwise for tillage purposes to any of the occupiers of the small, congested, and uneconomic holdings which surround his property on all sides; and whether the Government proposes to take any action to remedy this state of affairs?

Mr. DUKE

I am informed that Mr. Goodbody declined to let the Tully Farm for conacre, but that he was willing to sell it for cash. He offered 12 acres of land elsewhere, but the offer was refused. As Mr. Goodbody is tilling more land than is required by the Compulsory Tillage Regulations, no case arises for action by the Government in that respect.

Mr. REDDY

How many acres of the six square miles of the land is Mr. Good-body tilling?

Mr. DUKE

If the hon. Member will put that down I will try to get an answer.